Methodological frameworks to assess sustainable water resources management in industry: A review

摘要

Fresh water is the most important resource for humanity; it is a good that cuts across all social, economic and environmental activities. Worldwide, the industrial sector uses an average of 20% of the available freshwater. In the industry, the priority is to maximize production rather than water efficiency and conservation. Studies show that economic investment in technology for industrial water treatment and reuse has a long-term rate of return, which could be one of the reasons some companies are not interested in putting money into this issue. The purpose of this paper is to present a review and classification of indicators that evaluate sustainability in water management applicable in Mexico and new trends in this type of sustainable management schemes. This review will guide managers, industrialists and stakeholders of different sectors of industry to advance in the sustainability of their operations as well as to optimize and exceed the expectations of national laws and international organizations. This review made it possible to identify the need to have a water management scheme that includes environmental, economic, and social aspects as the main elements of sustainability in the use of water in the industry that would also have a worldwide scope, considering the globalization of processes.